Tag Archive for: Girard

GIRARD GOING BACK TO DISTRICTS

GIRARD OH- Girard, in a momentous victory, punched their ticket to the districts with a resounding sweep over the 11th seeded Perry. This victory held even greater significance as it marked the final home game of the season for Girard, leaving their fans with a memorable 25-19, 25-11, 25-16 win.

The Girard team put on an impressive display with several standout performances. Nico Cochran and Bree Latell led the way in the kills category, each contributing 12 crucial points to the victory. The team’s offense was orchestrated effectively by Bailey Walters, who tallied an impressive 26 assists.

In the service department, the trio of Molly Durkin, Bailey Walters, and Alexis Pieton was instrumental in maintaining control of the game, with each player contributing 9 service points. Bailey Walters stood out with her serving, notching 5 aces, while Bree Latell added 3 more to the total.

Defensively, Nico Cochran was not only an offensive force but also a strong presence on the backline, recording 10 digs. Kyra Bell contributed 9 digs, and Bree Latell showcased her all-around game with 8 digs. The defensive efforts were complemented by the blocking game, with Bree Latell, Nico Cochran, Alexis Pieton, and Brooke Perry each contributing a block to fortify the Girard defense.

With this impressive victory, Girard now advances to the district semifinals, where they’ll face off against Aurora. The upcoming matchup promises to be an exciting clash of volleyball talent and is scheduled for Wednesday at 7:30 at Streetsboro.

GIRARD GRABS A FIRST ROUND VICTORY

GIRARD OH- Girard’s volleyball team made a resounding statement in their first sectional matchup of the tournament, delivering a convincing sweep in straight sets over Niles with scores of 25-8, 25-10, and 25-8. The team’s outstanding performance marked an excellent start to their postseason journey.

Several standout players led the charge for Girard, showcasing their skills and teamwork. Bree Latell was a force on the court, securing 17 kills. Alexis Pieton contributed significantly with 9 kills, while Nico Cochran added 8 kills, and Erica Teter provided 5 more, ensuring a well-rounded offensive approach.

Bailey Walters orchestrated the team’s offense brilliantly, earning 39 assists, highlighting her playmaking abilities. In the service game, Nico Cochran was instrumental, earning 14 service points and 4 aces, while Alexis Pieton and Bree Latell chipped in with 7 and 3 points, respectively. In the digs department, Nico Cochran led the way with 10, followed closely by Bree Latell with 8 and Bailey Walters with 5.

With this commanding win, Girard now advances to the sectional finals, where they will face Perry in an exciting matchup. The game is scheduled for the 2nd match at Girard HS at 2:30 PM on Saturday.

NICO KNOWS WHAT TO DO

GIRARD OH- This season, Girard’s volleyball team needed a new offensive force to fill the void left by the graduation of star hitter Lauren Pallone. While the spotlight had previously shone on players like Bree Latell, there was a question mark surrounding who would be the team’s second punch. Enter Nico Cochran, a junior outside hitter with a solid swing that has quickly become the answer to Girard’s offensive needs.

Stepping into a significant role is not a new experience for Nico. While she wasn’t the featured hitter on last year’s Girard team, she has been accustomed to leading her club teams from the front for quite some time. For Nico, taking on this new challenge in high school wasn’t about pressure but an opportunity to shine on a larger stage. Her adaptability and willingness to do whatever it takes for the team’s success have been evident throughout the season.

Athleticism and competitiveness run in Nico’s family, and it’s her parents, particularly her dad, who are often the voices she hears during the game. Whether it’s tough coaching or supportive encouragement, she has the comfort of a solid support system never too far away, pushing her to excel on the court.

Reflecting on her 2023 stats, Nico has been a force to be reckoned with, amassing 250 kills at a rate of 3.4 per set, with a .206 attack percentage. Her defensive contributions are equally impressive, with 152 digs at a rate of 2.1 per set, along with 23 blocks and 45 aces. Nico’s all-around game is a testament to her dedication and versatility.

Looking ahead, Nico is set to take even bigger strides in her senior year, where she’ll be the leader everyone looks up to for guidance. With the same excellence she’s shown in every other opportunity, she’s sure to face her senior year with determination and poise. But for now, there’s a tournament run to focus on, and Nico, along with her teammates, is eager to break through the district championships, after being stalled there in the past two seasons. With Nico’s tenacity and the team’s collective drive, Girard has all the ingredients for a successful journey ahead.

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WEEK 10 FOOTBALL IMPLICATIONS

Contributed by Mike Swinhart

 

DIVISION 2 REGION 5 – Hoban is already in the playoffs
Austintown Fitch
– WIN or Eastlake North loss

Lakeside
– WIN
– or losses by Cleveland CC, Lutheran East, Eastlake North, Solon, and Akron Ellet

DIVISION 3 REGION 9 – Ursuline is already in the playoffs
Canfield
– WIN or Notre Dame – Cathedral Latin loss

Chaney
– WIN + losses by Dover, Bedford, Kent Roosevelt, NDCL, and Marlington + win by Mooney or Boardman
– Loss + losses by Dover, Linsly(WV), Indian Valley, Kent Roosevelt, Harvey, West Geauga, Bedford, Marlington, Tallmadge, and NDCL + Boardman and Mooney wins

DIVISION 4 REGION 13 – WB, Struthers, Poland, Mooney, and Niles are already in playoffs
Beaver Local
– WIN or Ravenna loss

Girard
– WIN or Ravenna loss

Edgewood
– WIN or any losses by Ravenna, Field, Warrensville Heights, and Holy Name

East Liverpool
– WIN or any losses by Ravenna, Field, Warrensville Heights, and Holy Name

Hubbard
– WIN or losses by Lutheran East, Ravenna, and Warrensville Heights + either losses by Field & Holy Name or wins by Beaver Local, Youngstown East, Howland, and Greenville (PA)


DIVISION 5 REGION 17 – South Range and Garfield are already in playoffs
Conneaut
– WIN or 2 out of 3 must lose (Orrville, Smithville, Chagrin Falls)

Edison
– WIN or 3 out of 5 must lose (Brookside, Chagrin Falls, Smithville, Orrville, Fairless)

Lakeview
– WIN or 3 out of 5 must lose (Brookside, Chagrin Falls, Smithville, Orrville, Fairless)

Liberty
– WIN or 3 out of 5 must lose – Brookside, Orrville, Chagrin Falls, Smithville, and 1 out of 3 (Fairless, Claymont, or Manchester)

 

DIVISION 6 REGION 21 – United, PV, J-M, LaBrae, and Brookfield are already in playoffs
Mineral Ridge
– WIN or a winner in the Valley Christian – Columbiana game, they will be in

Crestview
– WIN or a winner in the Valley Christian – Columbiana game, they will be in

Columbiana
– WIN or losses by Independence, Brooklyn, Saint John School

Valley Christian
– WIN or losses by Independence, Brooklyn, Wickliffe, Saint John School + wins by Crestview, Wellsville, and either East Palestine or Leetonia

Waterloo
– WIN + losses by Columbiana, Crestview, East Palestine, Wickliffe, Independence, Saint John School, and Brooklyn + wins by Lisbon and Leetonia

East Palestine
– WIN + losses by Waterloo, Wickliffe, Columbiana, Crestview, Independence, St John School, and Brooklyn + wins by Leetonia and Wellsville


DIVISION 7 REGION 25 – Springfield, WR, Lowellville, Southern, Lisbon, & McDonald already in playoffs
Warren JFK
– WIN + Conotton Valley loss + either a Buckeye Central loss or two out of these next three need to lose (Crestline, St Joseph Central Catholic, and/or Bucyrus).

Windham
– WIN + losses by Conotton Valley, Buckeye Central, Saint John School, and Warren JFK + wins by Waterloo, Tuscarawas Central Catholic, and St. Thomas Aquinas

GIRARD GOES THE DISTANCE

HUBBARD OH- In an exhilarating back-and-forth matchup, the Girard Indians managed to get the final laugh, securing a hard-fought 21-14 victory against the Hubbard Eagles. The contest was packed with gridiron drama and unforgettable moments that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the very end.

The first quarter was a defensive battle, with both teams exhibiting their prowess, but no scoring occurred in this early period.

The second quarter ignited the scoring as both teams found their rhythm. Hubbard’s Alex Hackwelder connected with Matthew Chaney for an 8-yard touchdown pass, putting the Eagles on the board at 7-0. Girard answered swiftly with Ahmad Curd-Stephens muscling his way into the end zone for a 1-yard touchdown run, leveling the score at 7-7.

The back-and-forth nature of the game continued when Girard’s Tuff McConahy linked up with Anthony Bengala for a 19-yard touchdown pass, giving Girard the lead at 14-7.

After a thrilling first half, both teams showcased their defensive prowess in the third quarter, resulting in no scoring for either side.

The fourth quarter unfolded with Hubbard’s Alex Hackwelder engineering an 8-yard touchdown run, tying the game at 14-14. The momentum swung back and forth as tensions rose on the field and in the stands.

In the game’s final moments, Girard’s Tuff McConahy came through when it mattered most. He delivered a perfectly placed 15-yard touchdown pass to Stephen Sims with just 3:57 left on the clock, propelling Girard to a 21-14 lead.

The Hubbard Eagles made a valiant effort to stage a late-game comeback, but Girard’s defense held strong, denying the Eagles any further points. The clock ran out, sealing the 21-14 victory for Girard.

This thrilling matchup between Girard and Hubbard provided an incredible display of high school football. Both teams showcased their talent and determination, and Girard emerged as the victors after a game filled with remarkable plays and unforgettable moments. The players, coaches, and fans left the stadium knowing they had witnessed a classic contest that will be remembered for years to come.

KNIGHTS HEAD TO POSTSEASON UNBEATEN

By Ty Bartell

GIRARD OH- It has been needless to say, but The Archbishop Hoban Knights volleyball team has been
on an impressive roll! Undefeated this season against a who’s who of regional opponents all with one goal in mind, get to the state final four. Big goals for a talented team, but the most important thing is the confidence that they have not only in themselves, but one another as teammates and friends. Hoban hit the road on Thursday night for a matchup with The Girard Indians for the second time in as many years. In last year’s contest, The Indians took a thrilling five set match from The Knights 3-2, hoping much of the same would replicate itself Thursday night and they can finally hang that first loss on Hoban.

Set one was a fun battle with both teams stopping at various scores, all tied up, along the way. Hoban would pull away with a key rally in the latter stages of the set, capitalizing on some key Girard mistakes, effectively taking the opening set 25-19. Coming out with a fury in set two, The Knight put the pedal to the metal while Girard had trouble getting out of their own way with some uncharacteristic mistakes. The Knights would take full advantage of the errors, blasting The Indians by a score of 25-8 in set two. Leading two sets to none on the road, Hoban was sitting in the driver seat, looking for match win number 20. Girard showed a similar type of fight and intensity as the first set, capturing an early 9-3 lead. However, as Hoban has done some many times this season, they adjusted and mounted a comeback, duplicating the score of the first set with a 25-19 set three victory.

Kathleen “the Dream” Jones got it done behind the service line with 16 service points and 3 aces in the match. Meanwhile, outside hitter Amber Watson led the Knights in kills with 12. The lone senior Sophia Day came one dig shy of a double-double, notching 16 assists and 9 digs in the win. While Hoban used a collective team effort to seal up the net with five different Knights each recording a block during the match!

On the other side, Girard was led by Bree Latell with 7 kills and 7 service points. Bailey Walters led The Indians with 14 assists while pitching in an ace and 5 digs. Alexis Pieton and Nico Cochran each helped the net defense with 2 blocks a piece, while Cochran also contributed with 5 digs.

The win for Hoban (20-0) keeps their undefeated season alive as they have one more regular season matchup where they will stay on the road to meet Cuyahoga-Valley Christian Academy (CVCA) (18-2) on Saturday, October 14th. Meanwhile, Girard (16-6) will now look ahead to the tournament where they will host Northeast 8 conference opponent The Niles Red Dragons (1-17) on Wednesday, October 17th.

Game Photos Can Be Found HERE https://ysn.smugmug.com/10-12-vb-hoban-girard/10-12-vb-girard-hoban

REBELS FLEX ON SUPERHERO NIGHT

In a clash of volleyball titans, the Crestview Rebels stood tall, extending their undefeated streak with a commanding sweep against a talented Girard team. The showdown took place on the hallowed grounds of Crestview High School, and the Rebels didn’t disappoint, emerging victorious with set scores of 25-12, 25-16, and 25-23.

One of the standout moments of the match was when Crestview’s Abbey Emch showcased her immense talent and dedication. With her future college coach from the University of Pittsburgh, Dan Fisher, in attendance, Emch delivered an astonishing performance. She recorded an impressive 21 kills, displayed her formidable blocking skills with four blocks, and dug nine times, proving why she’s destined for great things.

Grace Auer, the heart and soul of the Crestview offense, was equally impressive. She showcased her versatility with six kills, 23 assists, and a stellar 10 digs. Auer’s remarkable double-double was instrumental in Crestview’s victory. Moreover, she contributed two crucial blocks, demonstrating her prowess at both ends of the court.

Lainy Auer, another key figure for Crestview, added to the offensive onslaught with six kills. She also chipped in with nine assists, eight digs, and three aces, showcasing her incredible all-around game. Julia Blasko was a defensive force with her three kills and seven digs, contributing to the Rebels’ fantastic performance.

Girard, too, deserves recognition for their impressive display. Bree Latell was at the forefront, delivering 13 kills and a remarkable achievement of surpassing 1,000 career digs with her 10 in this game. Bailey Walters orchestrated the offense with 22 assists, and Nico Cochran shone with ten kills and seven crucial digs.

GIRARD GIVES THEIR SENIORS A GOOD SEND OFF

GIRARD OH- In a special senior night celebration, Girard took to the court with enthusiasm and determination, ultimately delivering a dominating performance to secure a win over Salem with scores of 25-7, 25-13, and 25-4.

Girard’s offensive prowess was on full display, with Bree Latell leading the charge with an impressive 18 kills. Nico Cochran added 6 kills to the mix, while Alexis Pieton contributed with 4 kills. Bailey Walters orchestrated the offense brilliantly, recording 27 assists to set up her teammates for success.

The service game was a key factor in Girard’s victory, with Bailey Walters, Bree Latell, and Nico Cochran delivering strong performances from the service line. Walters led the team with 17 service points, while Latell and Cochran each contributed 13. Walters also showcased her serving accuracy with 9 aces, with Latell and Cochran adding 4 aces each.

Defensively, Bailey Walters continued to shine, not only as a setter but also as a reliable digger, tallying 7 digs. Latell, Cochran, and Molly Durkin chipped in with their defensive efforts, recording 5, 5, and 4 digs, respectively. At the net, Alexis Pieton, Bailey Walters, and Brooke Perry played a pivotal role in the blocking department, with Pieton leading the team with 3 blocks, accompanied by 3 blocks from Walters and 2 blocks from Perry.

Girard’s senior night celebration was truly special, not only due to the victory but also because of the incredible contributions of the seniors who led their team to this impressive win. The dominating performance showcased the team’s unity and determination, making it a memorable night for everyone involved.

BULLDOGS DIG UP A WIN IN ARROWHEAD

GIRARD OH- In an electrifying matchup at Arrowhead Stadium, the Poland Bulldogs came away with a thrilling 38-35 victory on the road against the Girard Indians.

The game’s excitement started early in the first quarter when Poland’s Dom Pagano made a sensational 33-yard rushing touchdown. A successful extra point by Jas Stefancin put the Bulldogs ahead 7-0. Poland extended their lead to 10-0 as Stefancin added a 26-yard field goal with 1:18 left on the clock.

Girard answered back quickly, with Tuff McConahy connecting with Stephen Sims for a 65-yard touchdown pass, accompanied by a successful two-point conversion by Zach Morris, bringing the score to 10-7.

The second quarter continued to see both teams trading blows. Dom Pagano handed off to Cole Fulton for an 8-yard rushing touchdown, extending Poland’s lead to 17-7. Girard responded as McConahy found Stephen Sims again, this time for a 12-yard touchdown pass, and another successful two-point conversion narrowed the gap to 17-14.

Poland showed their big-play potential when Pagano connected with Cole Fulton for an 80-yard touchdown pass just moments later, making it 24-14. However, Girard remained in the mix as McConahy handed off to Sims for a 3-yard touchdown, bringing the score to 24-21 with 1:31 remaining in the half.

The third quarter continued the high-scoring trend. McConahy passed to Dominicoe Simone for an 8-yard touchdown, and another successful extra point by Morris gave Girard the lead at 28-24. Poland didn’t stay behind for long as Pagano ran it in from 10 yards out for a touchdown, and Stefancin’s extra point put them ahead 31-28.

The fourth quarter kept fans on the edge of their seats as McConahy handed off to Ahmad Curd for a 3-yard rushing touchdown, putting Girard back in the lead at 35-31. Poland, however, had a swift response when Pagano connected with Danny Nittoli for an 80-yard touchdown pass with 2:38 left in the game, reclaiming the lead at 38-35.

The game concluded with a nail-biting defensive stand by Poland on a crucial Girard 4th and 1 inside the 5-yard line with just 12 seconds left. Although Girard managed to secure a first down, time ran out before they could run another play, sealing the thrilling 38-35 victory for Poland.

BULLDOGS COME BACK FROM THE BRINK TO GO BACK TO BACK

CORTLAND OH- In a nail-biting volleyball showdown, Lakeview secured back-to-back NE8 titles with an astonishing comeback against Girard. Down 2-0 in sets and facing adversity at every turn, the Bulldogs displayed incredible determination and resilience to emerge victorious in five thrilling sets, 22-25, 19-25, 25-17, 25-12, 15-12. This remarkable victory was punctuated by a dramatic comeback from a 12-6 deficit in the decisive fifth set.

Lakeview showcased their championship mettle throughout this match, refusing to let adversity define their performance. Their tenacity was evident on every point, and it ultimately paid off in the most dramatic fashion.

Leading the charge for Lakeview was junior outside hitter Molly Stuart, who delivered a stellar performance with 22 kills and 15 digs, recording a double-double in style. Stuart’s unwavering determination and powerful hits were pivotal in sparking the Bulldogs’ comeback.

Not to be outdone, Reagan Price, another offensive force for Lakeview, contributed 22 kills of her own. These dynamic attackers kept the Girard defense on its toes throughout the match.

The Bulldogs’ exceptional playmaking was orchestrated by setter Mallory Mailach, who provided an impressive 51 assists while also contributing four aces. Her skillful distribution of the ball helped Lakeview regain control of the match.

Defensively, Addy Allen was a standout, showcasing her prowess with 22 crucial digs that kept countless rallies alive.

Girard, led by the powerful Bree Latell with 24 kills, put up a spirited fight, demonstrating their own championship-caliber play. Bailey Walters, the team’s setter, displayed incredible versatility with 50 assists, 17 digs, and three aces, recording a double-double performance. Nico Cochran contributed with 10 kills, and Alexis Pieton was a force at the net with six blocks. Kyra Bell’s 17 digs showcased Girard’s commitment to defense.

Lakeview’s victory secures their position at the top of the NE8 conference with a perfect 12-0 record. This remarkable achievement, winning back-to-back NE8 titles, underscores the Bulldogs’ dominance in the conference and their determination to excel at the highest level of high school volleyball.